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May 2021

The May 2021 issue of Model Railroader

Featured

In this Issue

With a little help from their friends

A couple recruits a crew of modelers to help build their dream layout

Model a ballast hopper

Commercially available 3-D printed parts make this HO scale car possible

Canadian canyon action in a small space

Dramatic bridge and tunnel scenes are the focus of this N scale model railroad

Add automatic sprinkler details to buildings

Hydrants, alarm bells, valves, and other details add an extra level of realism to structures

Also in this issue: 

FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 6
Big results from modest-sized layouts

NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 10
Hobby industry news

ASK MR, pg. 18
What kind of food goes in what kind of car?

REHAB MY RAILROAD, pg. 22
A compact yard office for Jones Island

DCC CURRENTS, pg. 44
Adding sound to a Walthers E9A

PRODUCT REVIEWS, pg. 48
– Kato N scale NYC 20th Century Limited set
– ScaleTrains.com HO scale Backpacker well car
– Atlas O 1937 AAR 40-foot steel boxcar
– Rapido HO scale Amtrak Horizon passenger cars

ON OPERATION, pg. 54
Reading train registers

TRACKSIDE PHOTOS, pg. 56
Online bonus Trains.com

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS AND CARTOON, pg. 65

TRAINS OF THOUGHT, pg. 66
Lighting surprises, good or bad